Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Parking is available in the Central Library garage for $5 after 5 p.m. The Central Library will close at its regular Friday time of 6 p.m. and reopen at the Fourth Avenue entrance at 6:30 p.m. for this event.

"The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to the Present" explores why history has been kind to the American generals of World War II and less kind to the generals of the wars that followed.

Ricks is a fellow at the Center for a New American Security and contributing editor of Foreign Policy magazine. He is author of several books, including "The Gamble" and The New York Times best-seller "Fiasco." He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has covered the U.S. military for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

This event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, author series sponsor Gary Kunis, media sponsor The Seattle Times and presented in partnership with The Elliott Bay Book Co. Books will be available for purchase and signing.